Having had one of their best days yet when they clocked 532 miles yesterday, Team Kingfisher is now contemplating the inevitable South Atlantic High which is spanning the entire ocean in front of them acting as a barrier between the Equator and the Southern Ocean. According to Ellen MacArthur from the boat this morning, they expect to sail at least an extra 1,000 miles which will, once again, affect their overall time which is currently just one hour, 56 minutes behind Orange at this stage of the challenge.

Looking at previous records set, Sir Robin Knox Johnston points out that Enza, the boat in which he and the late Sir Peter Blake broke the Jules Verne record, was faster at this stage of the challenge. However, he also adds that Kingfisher is a faster boat and can easily make up the time against Enza’s time. “But their objective,” said Knox Johnston, “is Olivier de Kersauson and Geronimo and the 60 day record. The problem for Kingfisher now is that all this is time lost and that means the average they need has risen, putting on the pressure. Add to this that Geronimo is smoking and looking very threatening for 60 days on present form which adds further to the pressure.”